What to Expect During Root Canal Therapy
Many people dread needing a root canal. But the truth is that root canal therapy can actually provide a lot of relief. It means getting rid of the dental pain and saving your tooth from needing extraction.
Also, keep in mind that we’ll do everything in our power to keep you comfortable during the procedure. For example, we may recommend laughing gas in addition to local anesthetic to help you feel more relaxed in the dentist’s chair.
Our dentists will also explain everything to you so you know what to expect before we begin.
Here’s what you need to know about root canal therapy.
Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy
Pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. That’s why it’s important that you call our office if you’re experiencing any dental pain or discomfort.
You may need a root canal if you experience the following:
- Severe toothache
- Prolonged tooth sensitivity to heat and cold
- Dental abscess (pimple on the gums)
- Loose tooth
- Darkening of the tooth
Diagnosing the Source of the Dental Pain
When you arrive for your appointment, we’ll do a thorough dental examination, take X-rays, and ask about your . With this information, our dentists will be able to diagnose the source of the problem and recommend an appropriate course of treatment.
If we discover that the is infected, our dentists will recommend root canal therapy. The pulp is the connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels that reside in the innermost chamber of your tooth.
Once that’s infected, your only option to save the tooth is root canal therapy.
Preparing the Tooth for a Root Canal
First, we’ll numb your tooth and the surrounding tissue to prep you for the procedure. Once you’re properly numb, we’ll clean and dry your tooth.
Next, we’ll use a rubber dam to isolate the tooth from the rest of your mouth. This is to ensure that the tooth remains clean and free of saliva during the root canal procedure.
While you’ll be awake during the root canal, you won’t feel any pain.
Removing the Infected Dental Pulp
One of our dentists will make a small opening at the top of the tooth. They’ll then use small dental files of increasing size to remove infected pulp and shape the inside of your tooth. They’ll also remove infection from the root canals themselves.
Our team will ensure that the inside of the tooth is clean and disinfected. Then, they’ll use a sealer paste and a rubber-like material called gutta percha to fill and seal the inside of your tooth.
This will help keep harmful bacteria from re-entering the tooth after root canal therapy.
Restoring the Tooth
As a final step, your dentist will cover your tooth with a temporary filling or crown. This will later get replaced with the permanent tooth restoration when you return for your second appointment with us.
Request an Appointment With Advance Dental
Dr. Richard Neuman and Dr. Alexis Neuman are experienced family dentists in Grand Rapids, MI. As such, they’d be more than happy to help you on your journey to a healthier smile.
If you think you may need emergency treatment, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. To schedule an appointment, call Advance Dental at (616) 956-9183. You may also fill out our online contact form for non-emergencies.
